Epilogue
Drew
A year later . . .
I open the door to the apartment, and I expect to see Zara in the kitchen. I’m not a Neanderthal, but she said she was going to make coffee.
“Zara?” I shout.
“In here . . .” she sobs from the bathroom.
My heart races as I push open the bathroom door. “What’s wrong?” I ask as I take a look at her tear??-?stained face. Her mascara has run all down her cheeks, and her eyes are puffy and red. “Is it your father?” I ask softly.
A week ago, Thomas Doyle was sentenced to twenty-three years in prison for his crimes against women, and I’ve been waiting for Zara to show even a little bit of emotion. She’s been stoic throughout the whole trial and never once shed a tear.
“No . . .” she sobs and hands me a small white stick. I hold it in my hands, and my stomach flips, my heart races, and my words seems to have disappeared. My eyes flit between the two blue lines and Zara.
“I’m pregnant,” she splutters. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how . . .” She stops and begins to sob again.
I put the test down on the side and take her hands in mine. “Why are you upset?” I ask, my mind racing at a thousand miles and hours. I’m going to be a father . . . but then I stop getting excited, remembering what happened to Kane.
“It’s too soon. We’ve only been together a year . . . you might not even be sure you want to stay with me.” She sobs more.
“What the hell? It has never ever crossed my mind that we’re not it for each other. Zara . . . why are you crying? Do you not want a baby?” I ask, treading carefully. I can’t force her.
She nods, and then her eyes meet mine. “I don’t want to think that I’ve trapped you. I don’t know how it happened. We’ve always been careful.”
Guilt floods me, as I know I need to confess.
“Well . . . there have been a few times when I’ve gotten a little carried away and forgot about a condom and . . . well . . . it’s entirely my fault.”
“Oh my god, Drew . . .”
“Zara, if you want this baby, you will make me the happiest man on earth. A baby wasn’t on the cards right now, but . . . things happen for a reason, right?”
She nods, and I can see the cogs ticking in her mind.
“Say whatever it is that you’re thinking. We don’t have secrets.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, her sobs subsiding.
“If you weren’t in here crying, I’d have jumped for joy. A baby isn’t a bad thing, sweetheart. My brothers have done it, so it can’t be that difficult.”
She lifts her head and smiles. “Are you sure you’re not angry?”
“No, I couldn’t be happier. How far along do you think you are?”
“I don’t know. I’ve missed a couple of periods. I put it down to the stress of the trial, but it was the fact I couldn’t fasten my jeans this morning and the fact my bra felt extra tight that made me think. I’ve been eating a lot more than normal.”
“I fucking knew something was different . . .”
“What do you mean?” she asks, confused.
“You taste different. Not bad different, just different. I thought it was me, but now I know. Fuck, it’s the sexiest thing ever.”
She laughs harder and wipes away the remaining tears. “Maybe we should get a scan or something.”
“I think it’s probably best.” I don’t want to remind her that she did a pretty heavy ride yesterday. I don’t want to give her anything else to worry about.
I take her by the hand and lead her out of our bathroom and into the living room. “Sit down while I make us a drink. We’ve things to sort out.”
Two hours later, we are on our way to my doctor, and we have an appointment with a private sonographer straight afterwards.
“I’m so nervous . . .” she says, her hands shaking.
“I’m not . . . I’m fucking excited. I’d have done the scan myself, but I think our baby deserves to have it done properly.”
“Drew, our baby is not a horse. You might scan your fillies but—”
“Zara Doyle,” the nurse says from a doorway next to the reception area, and we both stand. “Follow me, the doctor is ready to see you now.” She gives me a huge flirty smile, which I know Zara notices.
“I love you, Zara.” I pull her close and kiss her on her lips. Her eyes flick up to mine, and I see the gratitude as clear as day. She knows I love her, but to put the flirty nurse in her place is one step above.
A simple urine sample confirms that we are, in fact, pregnant, and my heart thumps hard hearing it confirmed. The doctor draws some blood, but the results won’t be available until tomorrow. It doesn’t matter, as we have the scan next.
It doesn’t take long to drive into town, and as we head into the sonograph office, I’m the one who’s nervous now.
“I can’t believe this is happening so fast,” Zara says, smiling the brightest since she handed me the pregnancy test.
“It’s the beauty of having money. Anything I need is at my fingertips, and that includes you two, too.” I dip my eyes to Zara’s stomach, but as I raise them, I see her eyes are filled with tears. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing . . . I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life,” she says, wiping away another stray tear.
We’re guided into a room, where Zara takes her position on the bed. The sonographer takes down her details, and we hand over the confirmation of pregnancy letter that the doctor gave us.
“So, I’m going to pop some gel on your tummy. It’ll feel cold at first, but it helps me get a better picture. I’ll keep my screen facing me for now, but I’ll show you as soon as I can. Okay?”
The sonographer, who’s name badge says Bridget, smiles, and although she’s really calm, my heart is racing, and my palms are sweaty. I rub my hands down my jeans before taking Zara’s hand.
Bridget rubs the instrument over Zara’s tummy, and I watch both her face and Zara’s intently. But when Bridget smiles and then frowns, my heart stops.
“What’s wrong?” I ask abruptly. Zara’s eyes widen at me.
“Nothing is wrong. I’m just taking some measurements and making sure I do my job properly. I’ll be with you both in a minute or two.”
My heart is still stopped. Although she’s said nothing is wrong, her face hasn’t broken out into the smile again.
“Okay!” she says, turning to face us both. “So, you are fifteen weeks pregnant.” She turns the screen around to face us. I know enough about scanning horses, but humans, not so much. It looks so much different from what I’m used to.
“The whooshing you can here is your babies’ heartbeats.”
“Is your machine faulty?” I ask.
“Not at all, Mr. Blackmoore. This machine is the best you can buy. But if you’re asking why the heartbeat is fluttering like crazy and it sounds like you can hear two heartbeats, it’s because you’re having twins.”
Zara’s eyes fly to mine. My mouth gapes open like I’m catching flies. “T-t-twins . . .” Zara stutters.
“Yes, twins. I can even tell you the sex of them if you like.”
We both look at each other and then back to the screen. Now I know there are two of them, I can see them more clearly. Two little babies, two little hearts pumping away, and one of them seems to be waving.
“What do you think?” I ask, squeezing her hand and praying she says yes. I’ve come this far; I need to know.
“It would make life easier for picking out clothes and stuff,” she says, smiling at me, but I can see the shock all over her face. I’m sure mine is just the same.
“Yes. Yes, we want to know.”
“Okay . . .” She scans around again and then smiles. “They are both boys. Congratulations.”
Boys. Boys! Two boys . . ..
“Oh, Zara, you are so fucking beautiful. I love you so much.” I bend and kiss her on the lips, my hand resting on her tummy, and then I realise my hand is now covered in the gel.
“I appreciate your happiness, Mr. Blackmoore, but please, can you keep the PDA to a minimum?”
Zara blushes, and I feel a little embarrassed for her, too. “Sorry. We only found out this morning that we’re expecting, so it’s all a little overwhelming right now.”
“That’s fine.” She smiles. “Zara, would you like to go and wash off the gel whilst I print out your photographs?”
Zara leaves the room, and it gives me opportunity to ask a couple of questions.
“So, can Zara fly?”
“Being pregnant doesn’t mean she’s magic . . .” Bridget chuckles to herself.
“I meant—”
“Yes, I know what you meant. Yes, she can fly for now, but I wouldn’t advise it after six months. Twins are hard enough to carry at the best of times, and the extra air pressure might get too uncomfortable, and it increases the risk of something happening.”
I nod. But it’s okay. What I’d planned is next week, so we’re well within the time frame.
“And the question all men ask is, yes, you can still have sex, in fact, we encourage it. But don’t be too rough.”
“That’s great to know. Thank you,” I say, nearly blushing myself. But not being a bit rough might be a challenge.
Bridget hands me an envelope with the pictures inside. “I’d like to see Zara every two to three weeks, if that’s okay.”
I nod excitedly, as it means I’ll get to see my boys grow.
As we drive back home, Zara stares at the photographs. “I can’t believe it . . . Twins. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” she asks.
“Are you kidding? Twin boys! I’ll be able to sit around all day and watch them do the hard work,” I joke, and she laughs with me, a sound that always makes my heartbeat faster. I love it when she smiles, but her laugh almost kills me.
As we settle down with a cup of coffee, Laura comes bouncing into the room.
“Laura, what have I told you? We could have been . . . busy,” Zara says, glaring at her cousin and hiding the photos quickly.
“Well, you two flew out of here earlier, so I thought you were sick or something. I was worried, and when you didn’t pop by to say hi, I got even more worried.”
We both look at each other, and Zara pulls the photos out from under a cushion.
“You’re the very first to know,” she says, handing Laura the photos.
“Oh, my fucking good god!” she screams, making me put my hands over my ears. “You’re fucking pregnant. I knew it. I told Carlos that you were getting fat, and I didn’t think it was because you were eating all the pies.”
“So, you suspected and didn’t say anything?” Zara half snaps at Laura.
“Well, what did you want me to say? ‘Hey, Zara, you’re piling on the pounds, you might want to stop with the cream cakes’,” she says, laughing and still staring at the photos.
“There is something else . . .” I say, smiling. Laura looks at me and then at Zara, and I shake my head slightly. I know what she was going to say, and I don’t want that big thing hanging over us right now.
“It’s twins,” I blurt out quickly before she can bring up the whole marriage thing.
“Fuck me over with a lawnmower,” she gasps. “Congratulations, you two. I need to go and tell Carlos.” She hands back the photos and darts from the room, leaving me and Zara in peace and quiet again.
“It’ll be all round the stables in fifteen minutes.” I laugh.
“Saves us telling everyone. I’m quite happy for her to spread the news.” Zara laughs, too.
“I’d like to tell my parents and brothers in person though, if you don’t mind. We can fly out at the weekend and have a holiday whilst we are at it.”
“I could do with a break and a change of scenery, so yes, let’s go. It’ll be nice to catch up with Ruby and Gee.”
“I might ask Carter and Brook if they want to fly out with us.”
“That would be amazing. Brook was only saying the other day that we should get away for a few days together.”
Zara and Brook have become really good friends, and it would be wrong not to include them, plus, Carter and I made amends a while back, and he’s forgiven me in return for riding lessons. Sometimes I wish I’d not agreed, but Brook says it’s good for building his muscles and for his recovery, but the bastard always wants to go just the little bit faster and harder, pushing the boundaries, and keeping him in check is a fucking nightmare.
Sunday morning comes around, and we wake up in Kane’s apartment above his club. Carter and Brook are already up. I heard them leave for their morning run, which means I have Zara all to myself.
I slide out of bed and slide back in from the bottom, positioning myself between her legs. It’s like an open invitation to take what I want.
I push her legs open a little more. She moans softly, still blissfully asleep. I know I have morning wood every morning, but I didn’t think it was the same for women . . . until I met Zara. She must have some filthy dreams to be this wet and not even be awake yet. Her pussy is glistening, and the scent of her arousal is driving me ravenous.
I kiss her mound softly and then dip my tongue in her slit until I reach her clit. I feel her jump slightly at the sensation, and when I give it another flick, her whole body comes alive.
“Drew . . .” she mumbles, but she isn’t telling me to stop.
“Hmm hmm,” I reply, my mouth completely covering her clit as I suck gently.
“You’re a bad man, Mr. Blackmoore.” Her voice is soft and not meaning it at all.
I jump up the bed and hover over her face. “You’re a dirty slut, Zara. Your pussy is soaking, and I’ve barely touched you. Have you been having dirty thoughts about me in your sleep?”
“I . . . I can’t help it. They just won’t stop.” She feigns being scared, which makes me want to laugh, but seeing that I can’t be as rough as I want to be, this is the next best thing.
“Good! But next time, you wake me and ride my cock. Understood?”
“I understand.” She gives me a slight smile, which isn’t meant to happen, and I can’t resist her a second more.
“Up on your knees,” I whisper on her lips instead of the kiss she was expecting. Her eyes widen, but my sexual desire for her this morning is going into overdrive.
She rolls over onto her stomach and onto her knees, her soft white pass on full display. “Fuck . . . so many options . . .” I tease as I wet my finger and gently rub circles around her asshole.
“Oh fuck . . . Drew, please do something. I need something.”
Her begging makes my dick even harder than I thought possible.
“You like me playing with your ass huh? Well, I’m going to fuck this pretty little ass as soon as I can. I should have done it a long time ago, but I promise you now, this is mine.” My palm lands hard on her ass, leaving a beautiful red handprint.
“Ouch!” she cries, but I know she likes it.
“Ah, sweetheart . . . did that hurt?” I ask, and when she cries yes, I slap her ass again.
“Oh fuck, Drew!” she cries out loudly. I can tell by the way her ass and thighs are shaking she’s close. Time to put her out of her misery. I slap her hard again and gently rub my hand over the spot.
“Fuuuck!” she cries out into the pillow, my cock slamming into her hard as she comes. Her walls tightening and her thighs shaking make the perfect combination. She’s on fire, and I’ve made her come this way many times, showing her that pain can lead to the ultimate pleasure.
“You’re so fucking tight . . .” I groan as I fuck her through her orgasm and on to the next. Her half screams, half moans fill the room, making me feel like a fucking king.
She shifts a little, and then I feel her hand on my balls, her soft caress sending electric shocks through me. “Come with me, Drew. Please,” she begs.
My vision blurs, my spine is as stiff as steel, and my balls are on fire. Hot streams of cum pump inside her over and over, and I love it. I am fucking in love with this woman.
We lie next to each other for a good while before I hear the door to the apartment open and close.
I pick up my phone and look at the time. “Time to face the parents.”
Zara
Drew never ceases to surprise me. I thought he would go ballistic when I found out I was pregnant, but he was more okay with it than I was.
And for a man who is so set in his ways and has everything locked down to within an inch of its life in his calendar, his impromptu trip to New York is also remarkable.
His relationship with Laura has grown into a brother-sister kind of vibe, both of them ripping each other apart, only to laugh and joke in the next breath.
I feel like my life is finally mine. Drew makes a lot of the decisions, but to be honest, he’s almost always right. If I do challenge him, he always listens fairly, and sometimes he’s willing? to go along with me.
He’s not the man my father painted him to be. Maybe he was once, but never with me, and now I’m carrying his babies. He’s a whole other level of committed, and it’s perfect. He’s perfect.
I’ve grown a little close to my mother in recent months, but I feel I need to break the news to Drew’s family first. They were the ones who have stood by me this last year, especially Meredith. She has welcomed me into her family with open arms, and for the first time, I have witnessed what parental love actually looks like.
After a wakeup call from Drew, I’m showered, dressed, and ready to face the music. His parents arrived five minutes ago, but even though I know they’ll be happy, nerves are getting the better of me, and doubt keeps trying to creep into my mind.
I eventually make my way out of the bedroom and into the living area.
“Here she is . . .” Meredith says, smiling and holding out her arms to pull me into a hug.
“Sorry. I just lost track of time,” I apologise as Drew raises an eyebrow at me.
“What time are the others getting here?” Drew asks, sounding more impatient.
“Any second. Why? What’s the rush, son?” his dad asks.
“No rush . . . I just want you all to be here for what we’ve got to say.”
I can see Meredith’s eyes light up. She thinks were announcing an engagement. Her eyes unsubtly fall on my hand.
I hope she’s not disappointed.
Braxton, Gee, Kane, and Ruby all walk in together.
“Making yourselves at home, I hope.” Kane laughs. If it was anyone else, I’d think he was annoyed at us treating his second home as a hotel, but, technically, that’s what it is, but for his family only.
“So, what’s the family meeting for?” Brax asks grumpily as Carter and Brook emerge from their bedroom.
“You look exhausted, sweetheart,” Meredith says to Carter, who immediately flushes along with Brook.
Drew takes the opportunity to save his brother and fiancée. “We have some news for you all, and we wanted to tell you all in person.” Drew pulls me as close as possible and lays his hand on my tummy. “Zara is pregnant,” he says matter-of-factly.
Congratulations sound all around. Hugs and kisses are shared, and eventually, Drew breaks up the celebration.
“There’s more!” he shouts.
“It’s twins! Twin boys.”
The room falls into a stunned silence before the cries and celebrations all start again.
“I was waiting . . . I was waiting for one of you boys to do this,” Meredith says, and we all look at her as if she’s just dropped a bomb.
“What do you mean?” Brax asks.
“It’s not something you talk about, but twins run in our family.”
I watch as all four brothers look at each other and then back at their respective partners, and then laughter returns to the room.
The next few days are filled with shopping for the boys and even looking at a couple of apartments here in New York. Drew has decided he would like to have somewhere to call home when we visit.
Four days after we landed in New York, we now own a five-bedroom, six-bathroom apartment that looks out over Central Park. It’s beautiful, and it’s on the floor below Braxton, which is ideal.
“I thought we could take a trip to the Top of the Rock tonight,” Drew says casually.
It’s my favourite place in New York. The Empire State is stunning, but I just find the Top of the Rock a lot less busy. “Thank you, that’s great. I love that place.”
He smiles and kisses me softly. “I know, and then I’ve booked us a table at the Rainbow Rooms after.”
I look at him suspiciously. “Why?” I ask.
“We’ve just bought an apartment. I want to celebrate, and I wanted it to be something you’d enjoy, too.”
That makes sense. “Do I need to dress up?” I ask, wondering what I’m going to wear.
“No, you can go exactly as you are. You’re beautiful with or without clothes, and you know which one I really prefer.” His hand slides under my hair, and his other hand pulls me close. Before kissing me passionately, his lips whisper, “You are the most beautiful woman alive.”
***
It’s 8:00 p.m., and the sun is beginning to set over Manhattan as we reach the Top of the Rock. I look around and realise that we are the only people up here. “Drew . . . where is everyone?” I ask.
“I told you I wanted to celebrate, but with you. Not a bunch of tourists.”
“I’m a tourist,” I point out.
He smiles and takes my hand and leads me to the part of the tower where you can see Central Park and our new apartment in the distance.
“You might be a tourist now, but not for long,” he says, and I turn to smile at him, but he’s not there. I look down to my feet and see him perched on one knee.
“Zara Doyle, you came into my life like a whirlwind. You made me crazy the first time we met, and I fell in love with you long before you even realised, I was an okay type of guy. I’ve always loved my horses more than life itself until I met you. You are it for me, Zara. I love you with every breath I take, and I would be honoured if you would agree to marry me and be my wife.”
Oh my god!
I look down at him, an open ring box in his hand.
“Say something, or you don’t get the ring,” he jokes.
“Of course I will. I’m just stunned. How did you arrange this in such a short time?”
He stands and slides the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger.
“I have been planning it for months, probably before we made the twins. I want you to be my forever, Zara.”
“I love you, Drew Blackmoore.”
“I love you, Zara Blackmoore to be.”
The End… or until we meet again.
If you missed reading The Ride and meeting the grumpy Braxton Blackmoore carry on reading for a peak into his rollercoaster of a life.